INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMAN PERSON_W11&12

Learning Material/ Week 11and 12

Topic: Intersubjectivity

Objectives:
1. Discuss intersubjectivity and how it defines human interactions and relationships;
2. Realize that intersubjectivity requires accepting differences and not in others.

Discussion

How do we as human persons relate with others?

Our ability to engage in meaningful interactions with other people, our surroundings, and everything around us
is rooted in our capacity for self-awareness and transcendence. Before we begin to relate with others, we must
first be aware of ourselves as rational individuals capable of determined and reasonable action. Interpersonal
relations are made possible when the self becomes aware of the other, which include everyone and everything
outside of the self.
Our human nature not only enables us to recognize the self that defines our individuality, it also enables us to
recognize that other human beings also possess as self. We are able to relate meaningfully with other human
beings because we consider ourselves as essentially the same. This notion of recognizing the self in the other is
how philosophers define interpersonal relations.
The interaction between the self and the other is related to the philosophical concept of intersubjectivity, which
is the mutual recognition of each other as persons. It cannot be denied that we interact with other beings in the
world, but some of these beings that we interact with are persons and must be recognized as such.
Intersubjectivity also carries the meaning of “a unique relationship between distinct subjects.” It refers to the
characteristics of the human person to engage in every intimate and personal relationship with others who are
different from him or her but who are also like him or her. This is possible because the person has an inner life
or interiority. Having an inner life allows the person to give himself or herself to others. This also allows the
individual to receive others in his life or her life and relate with them. Intersubjectivity also allows a person to
become closer to others in many different ways. In everyday social interactions, persons have the ability to
agree and cooperate with each other. There is also the experience of shared or” common” knowledge and shared
emotions such as grief, joy, and love.
A closer look at everyday interactions reveals instances where the self-interacts with the other. Philosophers
identify various levels of self-other interaction. The first is the simple awareness of the existence of the other.
When we see other people walking down the street, we are aware that there are other beings unique from us,
and that they exist outside of our own awareness or perception.
A deeper level of interaction between the self and the other, on the other hand, is the awareness of the self as
being seen by others. Imagine, for instance, that one of the people you are watching suddenly stops and looks
straight at you. You are immediately aware of this person’s action as an other – this stranger is looking at your
direction. Also, you are aware of another significant fact – you know that the stranger staring at you is aware of
you as a person. This self-consciousness is considered by philosophers as a defining characteristics of the self-
other relationship. Now imagine that the person is not a stranger but someone familiar: a family member, a
friend, even your crush. This awareness of the person staring at you will initially result in a feeling of self-
consciousness, even shame. In fact, several questions will begin to run in your head, such as “What is he or she
thinking when he or she looks at me? “Am I doing something wrong?” “Is there something wrong with that way
I look?” “Is he or she about to say something to me?”
The unique phenomenon of the human gaze is considered a defining characteristics which sets apart human
interaction from the interaction of other species. Also, the awareness of the “self in the other” is an important
element in all other aspects of interpersonal interactions. The way we act with other people is often influenced
by our ideas of how these people see us. Therefore, if we have idea that our parents think of us a quiet and
obedient, we often act that way with them. However, when we are with our friends and we think that they see us
as outgoing and boisterous, we also adjust our behavior to conform with how we think they expect us to act.
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This also true when considering social contexts: how we behave in church is different from our behavior in a
lively party.
These actions are referred to as “seeming” – where an individual present himself or herself in a certain way
when dealing with others. Persons take on” roles” or act out characters when dealing with certain people or
when in certain situations. This is considered as an unconscious, natural act on the part of humans. However,
there may be instances when people behave a certain way in order to intentionally deceive or manipulate other
people. Surely you have heard of the terms “plastic” and “sipsip”, which refer to manipulative behaviors that
are done by some people in pursuit of selfish interests.

What characterizes a genuine human interaction?

Most human interactions, however, are not based on deception. Since our human nature drives us to uphold
dignity and goodness, our interactions with others are also geared toward what is good and beneficial. These
lead humans to strive to achieve deeper and more substantial interactions and relations with other people. This
deeper and more genuine interaction is called dialogue, and this is made possible when the self realizes that the
other is a genuine and unique individual. When two individuals begin to view each other as an other- that is,
truly acknowledging each other’s presence – then that is the beginning of an authentic relationship and a
dialogue.
A dialogue is an interaction between persons that happens through speech or the use of words, expressions, and
body language. The person is a being who is open to others, and is capable of receiving others in a dialogue.
Ordinarily, we think of it as a kind of communication that usually occurs through a conversation. However, it
must be noted that a dialogue is not confined to words. Actions, gestures and other expressions may be used to
convey a person’s inner life. Because persons are being with inner lives, the words uttered during a dialogue are
rooted in each person’s inner life. Whenever a person speaks, he or she expresses a personal interiority and
communicates this part of himself or herself to another person. This is the reason why it is not possible to have a
dialogue with a material object, a plant, or even a pet. Only beings with interiority or an inner life can engage in
a dialogue.
A person’s words, expressions, and body, language become the means by which he or she is able to express a
part of himself of herself to another person. Apart from expressing and conveying oneself, the person is also
capable of receiving the words, thoughts, emotions, and ideas of another person. The dialogue, therefore,
becomes a means by which persons are able to share in each other’s lives.
The notion of a dialogue becomes clearer when we reflect on the nature of our conversations with other people.
The conversations you have with casual acquaintance are different from those with people who are closest to
you. Casual conversations with other people often consist of discussing news or occurrences. We often conduct
our normal conversations in this manner. But when we are with friends and family, we are comfortable
discussing more personal issues like life goals, emotional problems, or moral dilemmas. You will not engage a
random stranger on the street in a conversation about whether or not you should give up your ambitions in life
for the welfare of your family. Instead, you will seek out a person whom you consider most trustworthy and
reliable to listen to your thoughts and concerns.
A dialogue occurs when two persons “open up” to each other and give and receive one another in their
encounter. Genuine dialogue occurs when persons are willing to share themselves with one another. The
awareness of each other’s presence as a true person is defined by the acceptance of each other’s uniqueness and
differences. When each individual enters into a dialogue with this mindset, then it is truly a dialogue between
equals.

How does intersubjectivity define our interactions with other persons?

Philosophers agree that it is important for humans to pursue and achieve genuine relationships to attain
development. Human persons naturally seek and are able to achieve and maintain genuine, meaningful relations
with each other. The human person is considered as a “being with others”, which means that his or her identity
and destiny are shaped by relating with others. Human existence is a continual dialogue with the other, and that
the self becomes whole through interaction with other people and his or her surroundings.

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Empathy, or the ability to share emotions, is an important aspect of intersubjectivity. This emotion is driven by
a person’s awareness that the other is a person with thoughts and feelings. Human persons are actively aware of
the emotional states of other people, and they use this information to determine their own actions and behavior.
Empathy enables us to experience another person’s emotions, such as happiness, anger, and sadness. In a
manner of speaking, sympathy is “feeling with” and empathy is “feeling in”. For instance, how would you
behave around a friend who just informed you that his or her parent has died? Empathy enables you not only to
share your friend’s grief and offer him or her comfort during a difficult experience, but also to feel the grief of
that person even if it wasn’t your own relative’s death. Persons can also share more positive emotions such as
joy and pride. Examples include basketball enthusiasts celebrating their favorite team’s victory, and parents
taking pride in their child’s achievement during graduation. By allowing us to share in another person’s
emotions, empathy also enables us to place ourselves in their shoes.
Another characteristics of meaningful and genuine human relationships is availability, or the willingness of a
person to be present and be at the disposal of another. You may have encountered a situation where you needed
help. For instance, you went to an unfamiliar place and cannot locate the place where you are supposed to go.
What will you do? You might think of asking directions from the people living in the area. How will you feel if
you were asking for directions, but the people you were asking kept ignoring you? What will you think about
these people? Let’s say a stranger approaches you in the street asking for help. What will be you first reaction?
Will you try and help that person or you will ignore him or her?
The ethics of care is an ethical theory that emphasizes the moral dimension of relationships and interactions.
This moral perspective encourages individuals to help other people, most especially the vulnerable. Proponents
of the ethics of care believe that people have a moral obligation to respond to the needs of other people; and one
cannot turn a blind eye on the problems of others. People relate to each other in different ways and this gives
rise to varying degrees of dependence among people. Those who are able to help or give assistance should
consider the specific needs of the people they are helping.
Not all human interactions, however, are positive. There are those who view other people negatively and
consider human actions as being influenced by selfish interests.
This pessimistic view considers human relationships frustrating and often inauthentic or deceptive. A person
that adopts this negative view is said to be experiencing alienation. This arises when a person ceases to view
the other as a distinct and authentic person and merely considers the other person as a mere object or a means to
satisfy personal interests.
You might have encountered people who behave in a rude and offensive manner against others whom they
consider “different” from them. We often hear the term “matapobre” used to describe well-off people who look
down on other people that they consider “poor”. In restaurants, you might have heard a customer berating the
serving staff and even insulting them for committing a mistake. How did you feel when you encountered these
situations?
Our human nature drives us to feel indignation against these kinds of behavior because we know that these
actions are an insult to human dignity. Feelings or views of alienation, if left unaddressed, give rise to negative
views and actions directed against a person or group of persons. Alienation goes against the concept of
personhood because this view discounts the humanity and dignity of a person and leads to dehumanization.
Imagine that your schoolmate cease to call each other by their names and instead choose to highlight their
physical flaws. Those with dark skin will be called “Negro” or” Negra”, those with a speech impediment will
be called “Ngongo”, those who lack back height will be called “Pandak”, and those who are not attractive will
be called “Panget”. And let’s imagine that those who do not possess these physical flaws will consider
themselves “superior” and act as if those flaws do not deserve to belong in school and should therefore be
treated unfairly. Do you think that there will still be harmony in your school? Imagine if you were one of these
people being ridiculed. How would you feel if you were treated in this manner? What do you think will happen
if this behavior becomes prevalent in our society?
Society must be founded on relationships and bonds established through mutual respect and recognition of
human dignity. If we recognize that the other person is the same as ourselves, if we consider him or her as an
individual with dignity, as person no different from us, then we will be able to forge ties and build a community
of harmony.

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How can philosophy help you evaluate your relationships with others?
Important values related to intersubjectivity include acceptance of differences and embracing diversity. We
understand that each person is unique, therefore, differences will exist among groups of people. When we look
at physical traits and even behavior, we can see that no two persons look and think the same. When we consider
views, beliefs, and ideas the differences become much more pronounced. We have to accept that people will
have different views and beliefs. What unites us all is our shared humanity and dignity.
The recognition of our shared humanity and dignity is what drives us to extend assistance and act with concern
towards others, especially toward individuals or groups that experience hardships and discrimination. For
instance, those who are physically and mentally challenged often experience hardships because of their
condition. We have to realize, however, that these individuals, despite their limitations, can have the same skills
as those who are fully able in mind and body. They also have hopes and aspirations like us, and many of them
have successfully transcended their disabilities to become productive and happy individuals. Examples of
people with disabilities who have successfully risen above their physical limitations to live productive lives
include Helen Keller, Nick Vujicic, and Roselle Ambubyog.
Helen Keller (1880-1986) was an American author, political activist, and the first deaf-blind person to earn a
bachelor’s degree. She lost her hearing and sight when she was infant due to an illness. Growing up, she
developed a system of signs of communicate with her family. When Helen was seven years old, she met Anne
Sullivan, a teacher who was herself visually-impaired. Anne taught Helen to recognize objects and learn their
names, and Helen quickly learned. Helen went on to attend an institute for the blind and deaf, and at the age of
16 entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies. Four years later, she was admitted to Radcliffe College.
Helen was accompanied and guided by Anne Sullivan throughout her studies. Despite being blind and deaf,
Helen learned to “hear” people’s speech by feeling their lips with her hands. She became proficient at using
braille and reading sign language. She eventually learned how to speak, and became a well-known public
speaker. Soon after graduating from college, Helen spent her time giving speeches and writing books. At age
22, she published an autobiography, The story of My Life, which described her life and struggles growing up.
The book became the basis of a popular titled The Miracle Worker.
Nicholas James “ Nick” Vujicic (born 1982) is an Australian evangelist and motivational speaker who was
born with phocomelia, a condition in which a person is born with no arms or legs. Nick’s condition meant that
his early years were full of challenges. Nick was born two small and deformed feet, and an operation enabled
him to use his toes to grab and manipulate objects. Because of his condition he was bullied as he grow up, but it
did not stop him from pursuing his dreams. At 21, he graduated with a degree in Commerce and went on to
pursue a career as a motivational speaker and evangelist. In 2005, he founded Life Without Limbs, a non-profit
organization and ministry. He currently lives in California with his wife and two sons.
Roselle Ambubuyog (born 1980) is the first visually-impaired Filipino to graduate summa cum laude from
Ateneo de Manila University in 2001. Roselle lost her eyesight at the age of six due to an illness. Despite her
handicap, she was a consistent academic honoree in her school, graduating valedictorian in both elementary and
high school. Her excellent performance in school enabled her to participate in regular classes with sighted
students. In Ateneo, she studied Mathematics and the university supported Roselle by purchasing software and
equipment that made braille copies of exams, lecture notes, and other classroom materials. Due to her
outstanding academic performance, she gained many awards and recognitions. Among them were Ten
Outstanding Students of the Philippines, the BPI Science Award from the BPI Foundation, and the Gawad
Sentenaryo Award from the National Centennial Commission. Upon her graduation, Roselle continued to study
for a master’s degree and also devoted her efforts helping visually-impaired students. She initiated “Project
Roselle” together with the Rotary Club of Makati-Ayala, and provided schools with software and equipment,
such as computers and printer, that will aid bind students in their studies. She worked at Freedom Scientific,
Inc. as a consultant in developing software for people who are visually-impaired and those with learning
disabilities. She also worked as a product and support manager at Code Factory, which is the world’s leading
provider of software that allow the visually-impaired to access mobile devices such as cell phones. Roselle is
also a motivational speaker and has given several talks and seminars to students, teachers, and professionals.
Various advocacies supporting persons with disabilities have resulted in the institution of events and
commemorations such as the Paralympics, an international sports competition modeled after the Olympics that
features athletes with disabilities. The United Nations has also instituted days of awareness, such as World
Down Syndrome Day (March 21), World Autism Awareness Day (April 2), and International Day of Persons
with Disabilities (December 3). Countries around the world are encouraged to celebrate these days with

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activities that highlight individuals with disabilities. In many of these events, people with disabilities come
together to showcase their abilities and talents in talent shows, symposiums, and conventions. These events
bring together “able” and disabled” people in the spirit of friendship and cooperation.
Another group of people who experience hardship and discrimination are the underprivileged. They have less in
terms of material possessions. Despite the indifferences in lifestyle, social class, and experience, our shared
humanity allows us to engage with each other respectfully and render assistance to each other. The act of
assistance or giving, however, must be done in the spirit of mutual respect. One must extend help
wholeheartedly, without reservation or a patronizing attitude. We help those in need not because we need to feel
better about ourselves, but we do it out of an obligation to uphold the dignity of our fellow persons.
Apart from people with disabilities and the underprivileged, there are also others who are left out or isolated
from groups or society because they have been deemed different. Who among your classmates is considered by
many to be “weird” or “different”? How does this view affect the way you treat this particular classmate? Do
you see yourself befriending him or her? If you reflect on the way you relate to your classmate, can you say that
you have been treating him or her as a person?
Reflect on the people closest to you and evaluate if you have been engaging in genuine dialogue with the. Can
you say that to your friend have helped you become a better person? Think of the other people in your life. Who
do you feel can benefit from having a friend?
Reflecting on our interactions can better inform us of the motivations that drive us to reach out and interact with
others. Knowledge of our capacity for intersubjectivity and the opportunities it provides for fostering personal
growth and welfare will enable us to make better choices and decisions as we continue to relate with others and
uphold positive relationships in our lives.

Activity
A. Reflect on your experiences and determine moments when your actions and behavior embodied
“seeming” behavior, dialogue, or alienation. Fill in the columns with the appropriate responses.

“Seeming” Behavior Dialogue Alienation

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B. Write in the boxes the names of four people with whom you have genuine relationships. Write also how they
have contributed to your growth as person.

ME

Evaluation
Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is wrong. Write your answer on the space provided
before the number.
_______1. Man has the natural tendency to establish relationships with other people.
_______2. We are primarily aware of people as objects and not as persons.
_______3. The views and ideas of other people, as well as social context, do not influence our behavior as
individuals.
_______4. Intersubjectivity refers to shared awareness and understanding among people.
_______5. “Seeming” refers to the capacity of individuals to engage in genuine interaction with others.
_______6. An authentic relationship is possible only if individuals acknowledge each other’s presence as
persons.
_______7. Availability refers to the willingness of a person to make himself or herself available for another.
_______8. All humans find it difficult to have meaningful relationships with others.
_______9. Empathy requires an individual to accept the other as a thinking, feeling person.
_______10. Ethics of care believes that persons help one another because of their selfish interests.

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